Training camp is opening at a pivotal moment for the Raiders, and the buzz around Las Vegas feels different this year. The franchise’s new era gets its first real test with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, and there’s real optimism building around what comes next.
That optimism doesn’t mean the Raiders are suddenly ready to chase a playoff spot right away. But the pieces are there to start pushing in that direction as soon as next year. And with camp here, the conversation shifts from offseason promise to the business side of the roster - especially which players are moving toward new contracts.
Maxx Crosby has long been part of that conversation, of course, and Brock Bowers is already viewed as an elite tight end. Injuries last fall may simply buy the Raiders another year to see whether Bowers can stay healthy enough to land the record-breaking deal he could be in line for in 2027. Michael Mayer is also entering the final year of his rookie contract, though his three-year NFL run hasn’t matched the expectations that came with it.
But the most important extension candidate on a rookie deal is Tre Tucker.
The former Cincinnati Bearcats standout, drafted in the third round in 2023, has steadily raised his production every season. Heading into year four, he’s already piled up more than 1,500 career yards and 10 touchdowns. For a player still on his rookie contract, that kind of upward climb matters.
The Raiders are counting on Tucker to step into the No. 1 wide receiver role this season under head coach and offensive play-caller Klint Kubiak. His speed, sharp route-running, quickness, and football IQ give him a real chance to become a 1,000-yard receiver and a major part of the offense.
At the same time, it’s hard to picture Las Vegas rushing into an extension right now. Tucker looks like the most logical candidate for one, but he still has to prove he’s truly the top wideout in an offense that’s still searching for that kind of player away from the tight end spot - even if that tight end group may end up featuring the two best pass-catchers on the roster.
Still, there’s a sense that Tucker’s camp and the Raiders, including general manager John Spytek, may already be in touch about a new deal. It might not get done during training camp or even during the regular season. But if Tucker delivers the kind of year the Raiders are hoping for, he could put himself in position to earn the money that comes with being one of the offense’s top players.
In Other News...
Raiders Make Another Roster Shakeup As Depth Questions Keep Growing
The Raiders kept churning the bottom of the roster after another round of workouts, bringing in three veterans to add some insulation at a few spots where depth has been under the microscope. The group includes a defensive end, a linebacker and a wide receiver, each with multiple seasons of NFL experience, as Las Vegas continues sorting through options before the next phase of camp.
To make room, the Raiders waived wide receiver Jonathan Brady, linebacker Chris Thomas and defensive tackle Laki Tasi, another reminder that the back end of the roster is far from settled. The team had eight free agents in for workouts, and the process underscored how many moving parts remain as Las Vegas keeps looking for answers on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Very Al Davis Decision John Spytek May Hate
The Raiders still have a clear need in the middle of their defensive line, and the temptation to solve it with a proven veteran is exactly the kind of roster call that can test a new regime. Under general manager John Spytek, Las Vegas is trying to build with an eye on the future, which makes any move involving a pricey, older nose tackle feel like a fork in the road rather than a simple upgrade.
The appeal is obvious for a team that wants immediate help against the run, but the timing is tricky. The player in question is 31 and entering the final season of his deal, with a salary that sits high enough to matter in a rebuilding plan, and the Raiders would likely have to part with draft capital they could use elsewhere. For a front office trying to balance patience with the urge to fix a glaring hole, this is the kind of decision that can define how committed it really is to the long game. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Camp Could Decide More Than Fans Realize At Right Guard
Training camp is bringing an early test for the Raiders at right guard, where the spot is expected to be one of the more competitive jobs on the roster. Jackson Powers-Johnson enters the summer with a clear chance to hold onto the role, but the team also has Trey Zuhn and Caleb Rogers in the mix, and both could factor into the picture at left guard as well.
Powers-Johnson has already tried to make his case by showing up early with the rookies, a small but telling sign of how seriously he is taking the challenge. For Las Vegas, the bigger question is whether that kind of commitment translates into a cleaner, steadier camp once the pads come on and the competition starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]